Pirates all set to besiege castle
THERE will be scurvy sea-dogs aplenty in the town over the August bank holiday weekend as Scarborough castle is besieged by rowdy pirates.
The Castle will provide refuge for more than 30 pirates on the run from the Redcoat soldiers.
Twice a day visitors will see battles between the Redcoats and the pirates with displays of weapons including cannons, muskets, boarding pikes and the cutlass, with the Big Top Tent hosting musical performances of Treasure Island.Jon Hogan, events manager, said: “Character’s like Disney’s Captain Jack Sparrow have really caught the imagination of the public, and pirates have become loveable rogues, but the reality of piracy was far harder”.
“Few pirates would escape the gallows if caught, so any skirmishes between pirates and the militia were likely to be bloody affairs, with the pirates literally fighting for their lives”.Visitors will also learn how piracy was given respect by the monarchy, with tales of privateers who attacked foreign ships before sharing a portion of the spoils with the Crown and hear the exploits of famous sea-bound outlaws including Captain John ‘Calico Jack’ Rackham, who terrorised the Jamaican coast in the 1720s.The event runs from Saturday August 29 until Monday August 31 from 11.00am to 5.00pm, with the Castle open from 10.00am to 6.00pm.